About Us

Work and Meeting Space in Hulme, South Manchester

Established in 1986, incorporated in 1988, the principal aim of Firmstart (Manchester) CIC is to assist in developing the economic base of the Hulme and Moss Side areas of Manchester UK . These are two districts immediately to the south of the city centre. Initially intensive support was offered to local people who were exploring self-employment for the first time. More recently Firmstart has developed into a specialist workspace and meeting space provider. Though incorporated and functioning as a private company for many years, Firmstart's socio-economic aims were formalised by conversion to a community interest company in 2011.

Having first set up in the neighbouring district of Ardwick, Firmstart relocated to the former St Wilfrid's Church in Hulme, in 1990, when the building was declared redundant as a place of worship, by its then owners, Salford Diocesan Trustees. The company continued to operate its enterprise support schemes from this celebrated historic building and assisted the growth of a number of new, local microbusinesses. By 1993 the company had purchased the property, and, under a self managed project utilising mostly local labour and subcontractors, converted the building into a managed workspace and meeting space of some 20 units of various sizes. The St Wilfrid's Enterprise Centre opened on June 1st 1994.

Firmstart currently employs five members of staff. Various projects are now being developed, including bringing more of our services online to assist companies to locate good quality and affordable meeting and workspace in Hulme and the Inner City South area of Manchester.